Dad keeps the faith with record dive

KATE McILWAIN7 Jan 2013, midnight

Legend has it that whoever retrieves the holy cross during the blessing of the waters will have good luck for one year - and after winning that honour eight times, Port Kembla's George Ellenis is certainly one lucky man.

Legend has it that whoever retrieves the holy cross during the blessing of the waters will have good luck for one year - and after winning that honour eight times, Port Kembla's George Ellenis is certainly one lucky man.

Hundreds of spectators lined the shores of Wollongong Harbour yesterday as the father of three dived into the water for the annual throwing of the cross - part of a blessing ceremony by Wollongong's Holy Cross Greek Orthodox.